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Tosif Patel - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
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- Individual Voluntary Arrangements - The Next Mis-Selling Scandal?
[Finance:Bankruptcy] In the current economic environment there has been a massive increase in not only bankruptcies, but also Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs). IVAs are viewed as the only alternative to bankruptcy for many, allowing them to retain at least some control over their financial arrangements.
- Homeowners Set To Receive £200 Million Compensation Over Mortgage Exit Fees
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] While many regulators go unnoticed and simply rubber stamp approvals, etc, the life of a financial regulator is far from easy. While the mortgage industry has been the subject of various Office of Fair Trading investigations, the next investigation never seems to be too far away.
- Personal Debt In The UK Growing By "£15 Million An Hour"
[Finance] As the UK economy continues to move ahead strongly, there are worrying signs that personal debt is running out of control. A recent financial report from the Bank of England was reviewed by Credit Action - a charitable association campaigning for individuals in financial trouble - and showed that personal debt in the UK was rising by an alarming £15 million an hour!
- UK Finance: Who Makes The Money? Part Two
[Finance] As a continuation of the earlier article into the movers and shakers of the UK banking sector, we hereby list the financial details of more of the UK's largest financial institutions.
- UK Finance : Who Makes The Money
[Finance] As you would expect from a country which has so much influence around the world, the US leads the way in worldwide finance, but do you know how strong the UK financial Sector is? The mover and shakers? The big money earners?
- Financing A New Business
[Finance] While the business environment in the UK has been fairly difficult for the last few years, even though the economy is thriving, there are still many would be entrepreneurs out there who have been considering opening their own business. For these new business owners, one of the main issues at the outset is funding and the various sources of finance available.
- Loan Write-Offs Set To Rise In Early 2007
[Finance] As we enter the early part of 2007, many banks and building societies are already forecasting a significant increase in loan bad debts and loan write-offs. While on the surface, the UK economy appears to be buoyant (with the housing market again taking centre stage) the picture is not as rosy deeper down.
- Internet Banking - The Way Forward?
[Finance] While internet banking has touched many of our lives in some form, there are many people who are still very wary of using online banking facilities. There are many scare stories which persist with regards to online banking, some justified and some written from a biased view point. While internet banking is not perfect, neither is the traditional banking system in the UK.
- Lending With Security - A Sensible Move?
[Finance] While many may not realise they are lending money using security, the most obvious form of this is a mortgage for a home. In summary, until your mortgage is paid off, your bank or building society will retain the deeds and dictate under what circumstances and how the house can be sold. But who really benefits from secured lending?
- Are The Police About To Re-Interview Tony Blair?
[News-and-Society:Politics] As Tony Blair nears the end of his premiership, he is in grave danger of being remembered for the "Cash for Honours" scandal which is edging ever closer to the PM's Office. Ruth Turner, the Director of Government Relations in the PM’s office was recently arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, in connection with alleged offences under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925.
- Leading Mortgage Providers Set To Increase Rates
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] In light of the recent interest rate increase by the Bank of England, many of the UK’s leading mortgage lenders have announced plans to increase their standard mortgage rates over the coming weeks. The Halifax and Nationwide will both be increasing their rates from 1st February, with the Halifax standard rate rising to 7.25 per cent and the Nationwide rate to 6.74 per cent. While this is bad news for mortgage holders, and future house buyers, the two majors have also announced plans to increase their standard deposit account interest rates by 0.25 per cent.
- Supermarkets and the Financial Sector
[Finance] The financial sector in the UK is very very broad - perhaps one of the broadest in Europe - with very few barriers to entry for the large corporations who can show a high degree of financial strength. One group of companies who have really opened up to the loans, insurance and general financial sector are the supermarket - with influential giant Tesco again leading the way.
- Review: Nokia 6086 Mobile Phone
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone-Reviews] The Nokia 6086 is yet another clam shell offering from the Nokia stable, although in line with recent clam shell offerings the phone offers more than you would imagine on initial viewing. The dimensions of the handset are a compact 92 mm x 46 mm x 23 mm and it weighs in at a light weight 84 grams, making it perfect for easy carriage, and conveniently fits into the smallest of pockets. The battery power supply offers 240 hours GSM and 96 hours UMA standby time, with 5 hours GMS and 6 hours UMA talk time - more than generous in today’s market place.
- Review: Samsung I600 Mobile Phone
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone-Reviews] If you are looking for both a mobile phone and quality PDA then the Samsung i600 may be just what you are looking for. Powered by Microsoft Windows and offering a vast array of both phone and PDA functionality, the phone is compact and easy to carry, with Candy Bar style dimensions of 111 mm x 59 mm x 12 mm. The sleek polished design is sure to attract a number of new PDA users to the market, as it is less bulky than some of the others available. The Samsung i600 is a natural progression from the earlier Samsung I500 smartphone, which proved very popular.
- Review: Motorola Rokr E6 Mobile Phone
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone-Reviews] While there are many new phones released each year, it is not very often that you see a phone which really makes you stand up and take notice. The Motorola ROKR E6 is a phone which really does catch you attention and there is only one word to describe it - wow !
- Review: Samsung P940 Mobile Phone
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone-Reviews] While the Samsung P940 has not yet been released, it looks as though it will be a useful addition to the Samsung stable and further enhance their reputation in the market place. While the phone has all of the traditional functionality that you would expect form a market leader, it also has a TV receiver inbuilt enabling the user to watch TV on the move. While the number of channels actually producing TV footage for the mobile market is relatively small, this is an area which will be exploited to the full in the short to medium term.
- Review: O2 XDA Zinc Mobile Phone
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone-Reviews] The O2 XDA Zinc is the next in the series of O2 XDA Smartphones which are starting to make a name for themselves in the smartphone market. Sleek, easy to use with an impressive polished finish, the handset looks the part and holds a vast array of the latest services required for a life on the move.
- Review: O2 XDA Graphite Mobile Phone
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone-Reviews] The O2 XDA Graphite is another addition to the successful O2 XDA stable, leading the way forward for smartphones. The design is similar to earlier additions with dimensions of 109.5 mm x 46.9 mm x 18 mm and weighs in at 105 grams. The phone itself covers a vast array of network formats including UMTS, GSM 900, GSM 1800 and GSM 1900. Set to be released towards the end of December 2006, the phone looks set to consolidate O2’s position in the smartphone market. The phone is powered by a Li-Ion battery which offers 200 hours standby time and 4 hours talk time.
- Surprise Interest Rate Rise Announced By Bank Of England
[Finance] The Bank of England have today announced a surprise increase in interest rates, from 5% to 5.25%, in a move seen by many as early action against a rising rate of inflation. While many analysts had been expecting a rise early in 2007, the exact time of the announcement came as a shock to many.
- Borrowing To Invest In Stocks And Shares - A Risky Tactic?
[Investing:Stocks] In the heyday of the stockmarket boom of the 1990s, there were regular stories of investors making massive returns in a matter days. This was in the period of the so called “technology bubble” but as with all bubbles, it finally burst with serious consequences for many investors. Can borrowing to invest ever really work?
- How To Choose The Best Borrowing Terms For Your Situation
[Finance] At some point in everyone's life there will be the requirement for some kind of financial assistance, whether this be a mortgage, car loan or overdraft. One of the common problems when people take on finance is an over eagerness to repay it as soon as possible, which can store up further issues and problems for the future.
- Avoiding The "Door Step" Lenders
[Finance] While the government have been very proactive of late in regulating the so called "door step" lenders these companies are still active in many parts of the UK - predominantly areas of poverty and lack of finance. While these "door step" lenders offer a personal approach to lending by visiting you at home, some of the rates and penalties which they charge are enormous. A small loan can soon become a larger unpayable loan with the borrower paying back many times the initial capital received.
- Holiday Homes Abroad - Are They Worth It?
[Real-Estate:Investing] It seems that purchasing a second holiday home abroad is becoming more and more popular these days, but is it really worth it? Is it as straight forward as some may have you believe?
- Saddam Hussein Video Goes Viral On Cell Phones and Mobile Phones Worldwide
[News-and-Society] While the recent trial of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein made media headlines for months, the eventual execution of the former Iraqi leader was completed in only a couple of days, as the Iraqi authorities sought to bring some closure ahead of an important religious period.
- Do You Know The Real Cost of Money?
[Finance:Loans] The financial industry is notorious for attention grabbing headlines, which may look a little different upon further investigation. While attractive interest rates are frequently quoted, nobody seems to confirm or highlight the "real" cost of money - i.e. the interest rate on a loan less the current rate of inflation, which is the Real cost of money.
- Beg and Borrow the Month of January
[Finance:Personal-Finance] In the aftermath of Christmas many people will soon be finding themselves in financial difficulties as the full cost of celebrating the festive period begins to hit home. As the first credit card and bank statements of 2007 begin to drop through your letter box, no doubt we will all have a few unpleasant surprises. This is the time of year when people seem to look at different avenues of borrowing, something not normally considered at other times of the year.
- 3 Ways To Reduce Your Debt Load
[Finance:Debt-Relief] For many January is a very, very long month, with little money to stretch until next pay day, and credit cards to repay, etc. It is vital that you stay calm and focused when trying to arrange your finances, and not to panic. There are some very simple, yet very effective ways which you can reduce your debt, and more importantly, show the banks that you are being proactive rather than reactive.
- Final War Debts Repaid
[News-and-Society:Economics] It was recently announced that the UK Government were about to repay the last installments of the UK’s war loans from 1945 and 1946. Loans of $4.33 billion and $1.19 billion were lent to the UK Government by the US and Canadian Governments respectfully, to help build the war torn economy of the UK after World War II.
- Is Barclays Bank About To Be Taken Over?
[Finance] Speculation has been mounting on the stockmarket about a possible mega billion pound takeover in the financial sector, however a new favourite has come to the fore, Barclays Bank. Speculation has been increasing for some time that the massive UK financial power house which is Barclays Bank may be on the shopping list of Bank Of America.
- Reading The Money Markets
[Finance] While lending rates in the UK are set by the Bank Of England, and revised as and when applicable at their regular monthly meetings, there are a few indicators to help forecast any imminent interest rate changes. While to the public eye these interest rate decisions happen overnight, upon further investigation the markets are very much in tune with potential changes.
- Is The House Marketing Over Heating
[Real-Estate:Marketing] Yesterdays news that UK November mortgage borrowing has risen to record levels, is bound to cause some upset at the Bank of England, with the housing market bounding along at a disturbing pace.
Despite many subtle reminders that the house buyer should be careful and not over stretch themselves, these warnings appear to be going unnoticed. Is it now time for the Bank of England to get tough?
- Holiday Heaven - At A Price?
[Finance] As the high street and the internet offer bigger and better holiday deals, it is no surprise that many are falling into the trap of borrowing to fund their excursions abroad. While a break away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life can be a god send, there may be a hefty price to pay - and it could last for some time!
- What is It About Celebs and Private Jets?
[Travel-and-Leisure:Charter-Jets] As the ultimate status symbol of a Private Jet becomes more and more popular among the celebrity society, there have been many strange examples of what you can use your plane for. Let us take a look at the two sides of celebrity life, where some lose all sense of reality, and others seem to re-visit their human side.
- Private Jet With Very Little Privacy
[Travel-and-Leisure:Charter-Jets] As the small cabin, medium cabin and larger cabin Private Jet markets continue to attract new entrants, and become ever more sophisticated, competition is beginning to build up in the so-called "Mini-Jets" market. While demand for these Mini-Jets is forecast to be "sky high," what can you expect for your money?
- Small Cabins For A Long Haul
[Travel-and-Leisure:Aviation-Airplanes] As the number of parties interested in owning their own Private Jet continues to grow, so does interest in the “cheaper” end of the market - i.e. the small cabins sector. This area of the market is often used as a stepping stone to bigger and better Private Jets, and allows people to gain experience about owning their own Jet.
- Online Banking Or The Personal Touch?
[Finance] While there have been many changes to the banking industry over the last 20 years, some good, some bad, one element continues to attract the most debate - the lack of a personal touch.
- Make Sure You Borrow Enough For Your Business
[Business:Venture-Capital] The small business market in the UK has been growing for many years as the entrepreneurial spirit continues to expand in the UK, and the main clearing banks have a firm grip of this market.
They have repackaged their products and offerings to take in every possible requirement for small businesses, but these do come at a cost.
- The Buy To Let Property Gold Pot
[Real-Estate:Leasing-Renting] After a fairly lack lustre time over the last 20 years or so, the UK Buy To Let market has really taken of over the last few years as everybody vies for maximum exposure to the buoyant UK property market. So how does it work, and what is on offer?
- Christmas And New Year - Gifts For The Fraudsters Pension Plan
[Finance] As we all hit the shops in the run up to Christmas then once again for the New Year sales, it is essential that you keep you eyes open and hand on your money and cards. Christmas and New Year are the most prosperous time for the credit card fraudster, as they take advantage of the goodwill on offer - don’t not make it easy for them!
- Is Google About To Take On The Mobile Phone Market
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] As Google continues the quest to rule the world, there are yet more reports that the company is strengthening its stable of partners in the mobile phone industry. The company is already in talks with massive US operator Airtel about introducing its specialized search engine expertise into Airtel handsets. Now it appears they are looking to go one step further, and release a Google-Orange handset, but will they be able to crack the market?
- Drivers Ignoring The Ban On Mobiles While Driving
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] Although the recently introduced laws outlawing the use of mobile phones while driving were hailed as a life saving measure, the impact on drivers has not been what it should be.
Recent reports have shown that the majority of drivers are ignoring the ban, putting both themselves and innocent bystanders at risk. This is not just a UK problem, with surveys worldwide indicating a lack of respect for the new laws. So what next?
- Mobile Phone Stories: Strange But True
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] The Most Expensive Download Of All Time
A world renowned mobile phone company recently reported charging a subscriber in excess of $66,000 for downloading three full length movies from the internet via his mobile phone.
- Understanding The APR Conundrum
[Finance] The APR or Annual Percentage Rate was introduced by the Government to make it easier to compare the true cost of loans, mortgages, overdrafts, etc and enable consumers to see at a glance who was offering the best rates. Sadly, many of the financial institutions in the market place seem to have differing views on the exact makeup of the APR, often resulting in inaccurate data being presented.
- Goldfish Credit Card Back Up For Sale
[Finance:Loans] Morgan Stanley, the powerful US investment bank, have again announced plans to sell off their credit card operations which includes the Goldfish brand in the UK. Their US credit card operation has over 50 million holders, while the Goldfish brand has been one of their success stories of recent times in the competitive UK credit card market.
- Bank Of England Minutes Confirm Housing Market Not Responding To Rate Rises
[Finance] The Bank of England yesterday released the notes from the latest regular meeting to discuss interest rates. While it was confirmed that all nine members had voted to keep rates pegged at the current rate of five percent, this stance may change after data released yesterday.
- When Should We Begin Teaching Our Children About Finance
[Finance] As our children grow older and begin to take more of an interest in what is going on around them, when should we begin teaching them about personal finance? This is a question which crops up time and time again, with many differing views.
- Social Lending - An Alternative To Traditional Banks
[Finance:Loans] As the unrest caused by the attitude and actions of many of today's major financial institutions continues, there is a new phenomenon which is taking the internet by storm - Social Lending. What is social lending and can it ever really compete with the banks?
- Mortgage Lending On The Rise
[Finance:Loans] In a worrying report out today it has been announced that mortgage brokers expect the mortgage market to continue to push ahead in the remainder of 2006 and on into 2007. It is also a concern to see that the vast majority of people questioned also believe that the housing market is set to push ahead further in 2007. These are the kind of surveys which will causing great concern to the Bank of England who’s softly softly approach to increased interest rates is being total ignored by the consumer.
- Do You Have A Right To Financial Services - Are You Being Discriminated Against
[Finance:Loans] As is very often the situation in the UK, where the United States lead we seem to follow, but are Banking and Financial Services included in this trend? You may be surprised.
- When Lending Gets Out Of Control
[Finance:Loans] If you are not in debt to anyone at this moment in time, whether this be car loan, mortgage, overdraft, home improvement loan, etc, then you are perhaps one of the few in the UK. For many people, there is always a degree of debt to "manage" from a very early age, a loan form your parents, a few pounds from a relative. This early lending can have a major impact on your future spending habits.
- The Minefield of Car Loans Available
[Finance:Loans] As the car industry begins to expand after a fairly difficult last few years, many people do not understand the variety of loans on offer when looking to acquire that new vehicle. There are many offerings which suit different situations, and it is essential that you choose the best offer for you, otherwise the consequence could be uncomfortable.
- Are the Banks Moving the Goal Posts?
[Finance] After the much highlighted government investigation into credit card charges, and the resulting guidelines, which caused an immediate reduction in profits for the financial institutions, they are starting to hit back.
- So How Big Is The UK Financial Market?
[Finance] While we all come across loans of some kind through our lives, including mortgages, overdraft, personal loans, business loans, credit cards, etc do we really know how big the market is? How much money actually changes hands on a monthly basis? You would be surprised at the massive amounts involved, which are covered in a summary of the British Bankers Association report for October 2006
- Are Currency Loans Worth the Risk?
[Finance:Loans] Over the last 10 years there has been a big clamour for the Euro, with many of our European counterparts having already introduced the currency into their economies. The UK has been a little slow in taking up the Euro, however as the inevitable push towards closer European ties continues - with many suspecting the resistance will be ambushed by politicians - the Euro will come to play a larger part in our daily lives.
- A Summary of the Best UK Financial Websites
[Finance] While there are literally thousand upon thousand of Financial Websites specialising in the UK market, there are only really a handful of main ones to consider. The sites themselves tend to cover all aspects of finance including, stocks and share, loans, savings, credit cards and much more. If there is a financial instrument you are after, they will have it!
- Is Your Bank Ripping You Off?
[Finance:Loans] While the subject of reclaiming unlawful overdraft and penalty charges from your bank has been a popular topic over the last couple of years, it has only just come to light how much the banks are “skimming” from customers. A report issued today by the BBC2 Money program has found evidence that Banks have been charging upwards of £30 pounds for actions which costs them no more than £4.50!
- Student Debt Soars In Scotland
[Finance:Loans] In a worrying development on the subject of Student Loans, it is claimed that more students than ever are suffering financial hardship, with figures from Scotland supporting the case. The Scottish National Party recently released figures showing that the number of students who are unable to service even the interest on their loans has risen from 13,000 to 36,000 in only two years.
- UK Home Loan Approvals Moving Higher
[Real-Estate:Mortgage-Refinance] While the UK housing market continues to move ahead, despite the outlook for increased interest rates in the short to medium term, there was an increase in the number of approved home loans in October. After a couple of months when the market seemed to be losing steam, the increase in October is both surprising and a little disturbing.
- HBOS Making Hay While The Sun Shines
[Finance:Loans] The UK Based banking group HBOS has today announced that profits for 2006 are expected to beat the forecasts currently in the financial markets. The group has exposure both overseas and in the UK, however the UK still accounts for the bulk of business. As the UK clearing banks tend to get a feel for any change in consumer sentiment prior to a change in spending patterns, it is perhaps a little surprising that profits are growing faster than expected.
- The UK Loans Market - The Basics
[Finance:Loans] The UK Loans market is perhaps one of the most competitive in the world, in main due to the ever growing popularity of the internet. Historically the UK market was dominated by the large Clearing Banks who were able to raise masses of finance, repackage, and sell at very attractive margins of profit. Since the rise of the internet a number of new companies have entered the fray, which has had an impact on the terms available.
- Review: Nokia 7373 Mobile Phone
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone-Reviews] The Nokia 7373 is a member of the popular L'Amour Collection which brings a distinctive & glamorous design to each mobile handset. The 7373 comes in a choice of two colors which is a bronzed black colored casing or a powder pink colored casing & both colors casing comes with the eye catching L'Amour Collection motifs. The motifs consist of swirls & waves which resemble tribal & ethnic patterns. The mobile phone has a swivel style opening system which will rotate 180 degrees to display a beautifully designed keypad. The user can view the screen when the handset is in the swivel open or swivel closed position. The screen will display up to 262k colors on the crystal clear QVGA 2 Inch screen which has a 320 x 240 pixel screen resolution. The Nokia 7373 is from the beautifully designed L'Amour Collection which includes the Nokia 7360, Nokia 7370, Nokia 7380 & the Nokia 7390.
- Can Mobile Phones Really Have An Effect On Your Health
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] While it has been rumoured for many years, a recently announced report has shown that excessive use of Mobile Phones can effect your health, and the ability to have children. A Study by the Reproductive Research Centre at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio suggests that Mobile Phone use can have a direct effect on the male sperm count, and ability to reproduce. Probably one of the most damming reports to have been produced into Mobile Phone use, and the potential side effects.
- Carphone Warehouse - A Tale Of Two Days
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone] The phenomenal success story of Charles Dunstone's Carphone Warehouse goes on, but there are signs that they may be posing a little more threat to the Network Operators than they feel comfortable with. Are they starting to show too much influence on the High Street? Are the Network Operators going to reign them in? It's looks as though the cosy relationship may be showing signs of strain, but Carphone Warehouse are fighting back.
- LG U300 Mobile Phone
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Electronics] The LG U300 mobile phone was announced earlier this year in July and is equipped to work with UMTS as well as GSM networks. The phone weighs close to 93 grams and measures 96 x 49 x 21.9 mm. The screen of the LG U300 mobile phone is a nice 256k color TFT display with a 176 x 220 pixel resolution. The screen measures close to 2 inches which is decently wide.
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